LET’S GO FISHING
March 25, 2015 edition
*Hard copy of Jay’s columns can be found in the River News Herald & Isleton Journal.
DELTA
Striped bass are beginning to school up with some in the various stages of spawning. The surface water temperatures are warming up from 63° to 65° which is ideal for bass propagating the species. Bait dunkers as well as trollers getting into the action. Some of the better locations to wet a line are just below Rio Vista on the west bank from the Red Barn up to the Sandy Beach area and the Old Dairy section off highway 160 in 12’ to 18’ of water dragging a P-line Predator or Yo-Zuri with a white worm trailer or at anchor tossing shad, cut anchovies or sardines. Trollers have reported a number of small fish, 18 to 27 inches, and occasionally take a larger fish- 10 to 12 pounds.
On the San Joaquin River legal striped bass are showing from light 34 near Eddo Marina all the way up to the Windmill Cove near Stockton where anglers are drifting minnows, bluegills, spooning and trolling, all have their moments. Another popular area to fish during the spring is in front of Spindrift Marina on Andrus Island where bait dunkers score regularly on the San Andreas Shoals. If you are into fly fishing you might want to venture over into the south delta to flooded Mildred Island where good numbers of bass are taken using this method. Largemouth bass fishing is beginning to peak with reports of some good catches exceeding 5 pounds, up to a big fish weighing 9.97 pounds. Most are being caught on flipped jigs, drop-shot plastics, reactions baits, spinner baits and crank baits primarily in the crawdad color patterns. Best results working along the riprap, structure and the edge of weed beds on outgoing tides.
Sturgeon fishing continues to roll on with good results coming out of Cache Slough and Prospect Slough where eel and ghost shrimp seem to be the preferred baits. Good action in deeper water from the Carquinez Bridge to the Mothball Fleet. If you are into sturgeon fishing there is no better time than now.
SAN PABLO BAY
Halibut beginning to show including a 30 pounder taken recently. There are plenty of striped bass in the mix, but most are small sized. Trollers as well as casters can hook them on worm-tailed jigs. sturgeon are scarce since the herring spawn down bay is continuing and attracting all fish.
SALT WATER
Ocean- everything is quiet as charter boats and private skiffs stay at home port awaiting the salmon fishing season opener April 4 along with the rock cod season opener on April 1 south of Pigeon Point or April 15 south of Point Arena.
SAN FRANCISCO BAY
Sturgeon fishing has been closed off of Belvedere and Angel Islands due to the herring spawn that takes place every year in the Bay. Now that this spawn has been completed, the closure reopened to sturgeon fishing on Saturday, March 21 with no restrictions.
UPPER SACRAMENTO RIVER
Striped bass showing to 20 pounds making an appearance in the Tisdale to Colusa area as well as the Feather River off Shanghai Bend and Boyd’s Pump. Shoreline anglers getting into the action tossing lures and cut baits. Every spring this section of the Feather River attracts some unusually large striped bass weighing over 50 pounds.
LAKES
Trout are cooperating for anglers fishing from the shoreline as well as trolling. Most of the lakes receive weekly plants exceeding 1,200 pounds, including some trophy-sized rainbows in the mix exceeding 15 pounds. Take time to go out and enjoy the great outdoors. Until next time stay safe and have an enjoyable outdoor experience.
JAY’S BEST BETS
Delta - ( striped bass, sturgeon, largemouth bass );
Suisun Bay - (sturgeon)
Lakes - ( trout, largemouth, spotted bass catfish);
UPCOMING EVENTS
FUTURE PRO LAKE BERRYESSA BASS TOURNAMENT
March 28, 2015 – Fish the west coast’s hottest bass fishing circuit by signing up for this Future Pro Event. Information: Vince Harris at (916) 768-0938
SPRING TURKEY HUNTING SEASON OPENER
March 28, 2015 - The spring turkey hunting season opens throughout much of the state, for more information check out the California DFW website at www.dfg.ca.gov
ROCK COD FISHING SEASON
April 1, 2015 - The rock cod fishing season opens south of Pigeon Point. Now is the time to reserve a spot on the rail on one of many charter boats preparing for the opener. The daily bag limit will be the same as last year, 10 rock cod and 2 lingcod 22” or better.
SALMON FISHING SEASON OPENER
April 4, 2015 - The recreational salmon fishing season opens outh of Horse Mountain. The daily bag limit remains the same as last year, 2 fish 24” in length or larger. Charter boats are now taking reservations.
NTAC TROUT ANGLERS CHALLENGE AT COLLINS LAKE
Saturday, April 11, 2015 - Entry fee is $15 dollars for adults with pre-registration and kids are free if they preregister. For more information or to sign up call Vince Harris at (916) 768-0938.
KOKANEE POWER PINE FLAT TEAM DERBY
April 18, 2015 – Fish for big trout and awesome prizes. For more information call Gary Coe at (916) 985-4943
FUTURE PRO FOLSOM LAKE BASS TOURNAMENT
April 18, 2015- Fish the West Coast’s hottest fishing circuit by signing up for this Future Pro event. Information: Vince Harris at 916768-0938.
KOKANEE POWER LAKE SHASTA TEAM CLASSIC
May 2-3, 2015 – Big trout and salmon along with some awesome prizes and a free dinner. For information call Gary Coe at (916) 985-4943